Loose-leaf binder



Patented Jan. 3, 1922,

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

LOOSE LEAF BINDER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 8| 1919.

S. M. WAGAIVIAN AND E. H. BYER.

s. M. WAGAMANAND E. H. BYER.

LOOSE LEAF B|NDER. APPLICAHON FLLEDVSEPT. B. 1919.

1,402,694, Patented Jan. 3,1922.

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|l Il il' i! ll! li: 1.a i! l! i! il i u @l l! ll /a l! U' f; u u u 11@i l! l" H iI il i* -i .i 1. I jzmfvzwv flieg s. M. WAGAMAN AND ri.V4 H;BYER.

LOOSE LEAF BINDER. y APPLICAHQN FILED sEPTIa, m9.

.Patented Jan. 3, 1922. /4 3 sains-SHEET a.

"A fNifrEn "STATES N rar1:11511*AorFiCE..4 N

SAMUEL im WAGAMAN AND EDGAR H. BYER', or nAGEitsTowNMA.RYYLA1\TD; simiyf BYER AssIGNoR l'ro SAID WAGAMAN K c LOOSE-LEAFA BINDER.

ToaZZ 'whom it may concern:

"Be it 'known `that'we, SAMUELM.. WAGA- "Y MAN and yEDGAR I-I; Brian,citizensof the United States,` residing at Hagerstown, in

the county of Washington and;v State! of Maryland,' have' invented newVand1useful Improvements in Loose-LeafBinders, of which the'following isa. specification. 'i This inventionl relates to' a loose leaf binder,`and lsome of the objects of the samev are to `provide a binder of thisclass 1lwherein the leaf binding elements* are inthe form of flexiblestrands, `preferably wire, having cooperating lockingmeans directlyactingcn each strand, the strands loeingl so arranged that the'longitudinal ltension of each isin tautness,y 4butl capablel of beingreadily `released when desired; to provide inter-acting loose hingecontact membersA applied to adjacent parts and so disposed and operatingas to'l effect a'tighter binding action ofthe parts relatively to theleaves when the book "is Y open vthan when it is closed, and also' toyeffect r such an action; together' with the strands, upon the leavesofthe book` when it isfclosed;V as-"to cause them to project towards theconnecting back, in a curved m'annerfthus' simulating thegforingof thecost. of production.

usual ytightly vbound volume; 4to provide the leaves with speciallyformed openings and angularly arranged slots all extendingin the Vsamedirection vfrom thexopening's*through the inner edgesof the leaves topermit the latter tol-loe individuallyinserted and reinoved withoutinterfering with the vreina'inylingleaves, andto providea generallyiinkproved land comparatively simplified `iorm of loose leaf 'bindingorganization comprising parts of astrong and durable structure and thatcan be readily associated and secured vinl operative relatioiiand,v alsoto''duplicate the several parts in forinand structure and to arrangethemwith 'material advantages in manufacture andessential reduction inthe The invention'fcon'sists inthe preferred construction Landarrangement." 'of fthe sevythe same to various applications.

eraliparts'fwhich 'will bemore fully herein Y t Specification of LettersvPatent.- Patentedean, 3, 1922, I l Application inea september 8;"1919.seriai Ng. 322,516. i

after.described and. claimed. t l

x In the accompanying drawings oneforrn of the rimprovedloose leafbinder organization is embodied to illustrate a practical assemblage ofparts involving the features of the invention but Acapable of changeinthe general proportions and contours, `aswell as in thev number oftheseveralparts to adapt In the accompanying drawings .alsov twov sets ofleaf engaging and binding strands or wires are shown in cooperation with"two sets of simila'rflocking"v :devices at the 4front and'backrportionszof the binder, but it will be 'understood that these setsmay be dirninished or increased innumber asmay befrey quiredinfconnectionwith various sizes of thebinders.vr V .,v

lis a plan view of a binder-including afplurality of leaves shownbrokenaway through portions thereof and embodying the lfeatures of the.invention partially iny section. -1

Fi'g2 is a viewsimilar to Fig. lV of the 4reverse side of the binder,rwhich may be eitherthe front or rear side,'and also showainlcparts-oftheorganization in section. t

ig. 3' is Y transverse vertical section through aportion of the bindershowing. one

o-ffthel cover? members open andthe-` other l closed.l t A .v

Figpl is a transverse vertical section of a portion of-thebinder andloose'leaves.

Fig. 5`isa section taken inthe plane ofk iFi 6 isa section taken intheplaneof `tlielline 6f-6'1'Fig. 3. y detail perspective views vFigspandf8j=are ofthe parts of one' of the locks.

' 1Fi0'q9is'ja? detail planviewy of a portion of oIieofthe-looseleaves@` f v Y The numeralsl and 6 respectively repre-k sentfthe 'coversof the binder` connected -by "ail'exible back-7, and forming lpartsofthe fiinctionsrelatively' to the remainingjparts of thefbijnder withwhich they are "adapt-ed to, in aimeasure,cooperates Between the ilyleaves- Sandv 9 ia plurality/offloose leaves 10 are inserted, each looseleaf havingaseries of. .circular openings "11 adjacent to itsinner edge,aanwending fom opens-11 is an inclined slot 12, all "or"` thesl'ots12"e`x-' tending inY the saine direction, as clearly.

shown by Figs. 1 and 2. All ofthe pen ings., 11.and slots A 12 are-fin`.the same' positionsy in the respective loose leaves `1()" `soV thatwhen theV leaves areiplacedl within; the

in leavesv andtliisl'rovisionf is ver advantageousf in;augmentingjthenumber. of leaves'containing` matterv to be preservedwithin the Vbinder or in'. replacingfcertain leaves? by *othersthatfvn'iay y'embody `modified orv corrected niatter relating tothe-.Samet orrelative#subjects. n

1- f' As"v `hereinb fore indicated; :the: ineans i di- 'rectlyengagingthe; loose `leaves 10j consist of vflexible strands,lvpreferablyV offffwire; and

it has been found -thattwisted wire,f. or `wire' embodying apluralitytof'fine strandsgasimilar to what is known as sash wire,ri'svery well adapted,` and eliciently serves. 4to hold i `the*leaves1inassembled .relationl V These strands,A as f shown .inftlie.drawings,are-in distinct pairs 13 provided 'by loop-nga .cer-

tain-length 'of wire and":l'ocatingV .the ylooped 'extremity 1eVadjacent to one cover andthfe free ends V'15, ofthe wire.;` strandsadjacent ingfindfependent, there being' f two'; sets of pairs ofwi'restrands in yone. `preferred. forni ,ot the binder.. This-"numben'of'.pairsofV wire strands inaiv V.be reducedor;,;icreased pair 13 ofstrands isA engaged orjhasiincooperation therewitlitwo: locksflt, each'lock f being composed-of' the members illustrated bv Figs. 7 i and 8,yorV consisting of@ anelon gated box-like' enclosure 1,8 and ay lclamping lever V19 f loosely'--1 1 1ounted. in... the '.saidjenkclosurewithout the use off'"-p1vots orrfother securing means.4 The outer'side20, of? each box-like enclosure 18 'iszsubstantiallv :fully 'lopen and"the ends are inwardly bent Tas at 21 to `forinterminal'closingfliaigesand adjacent toft'hesez-.terrninal closingl,flanges 21 aire inward depending: right f angular flanges 22 "between'f which'. and: the? saidterminal yllanges21:.:guideslots 23 areforinedthrough which V:theI strands 13 rare passed. Between I the-flanges .221eloose `hifnege; flangeflis litorined,- said anggge'QItextending"beyond-the n'i'ain` body ofthe box-likeenclosurerandlbeyondlthe flanges '22*so asto bei free-.forfcooperation. ywithinteracting devices which Will .bepresently described. e The terminalflanges/21 agregiten a 'slight arcuate'gshape Y as clearly shown in thelocks illustrated in horizontal section Vby Figs. 1 and 2. The

elongated-y'boxlike 'ensures is rimmed on metallic wear 'strips 25Ysecured to the' innersides ofthe covers 5 and 6 near thepoint"of"engagement or attachment of the inner edges of the covers tothe vflexible back '77,' the inetallic wear stripsvorbarsdextendinglengthwiseof the covers a suicient distance to giveproper mounting tothese parts, and thek elongated box-,likev closures 18are provided at their endswith `centrally located bendable lugs whichare inserted through suitable openings or` slots `.in-,the

bars j 25Y arid upset as. clearly Vvshown by Fig.

A5. Each levery 1,9 comprises. an elongated clamping-bar'. 27 havingarounded freetend 28 and a'. substantially similar camkend'l) Y.fromwh-ich ah'andle or gripy Bdextends,

there being one leverf'i'or `each ,pairV of strands, and each lever,.as'hereinbeforeindicated, is :loosely heldlin. ,its elongatedboxlikeenclosure 18, as clearlyjsliown .in Figs. :l and 2. Atthe outere'dgeoteach bonf like enclosure 18. adjacenttotheclarnping gendV28;{of1tliez leifeiais an .inwardlyi bent keeper l-jformedasa part:ofthe top of thetwoends 28'l and 29. servingV as thefclamp l:.terminals relatively 'to the pairs of strands,

said box-likel enclosure 18, the .function of this keeper .being toInaintainthe end E Zloi' the clamping `lever iin .place; whenthegopposite extremity` or end 29e/.is forced .-'inwardly into or, drawnoutwardly from theouter open sideof the ,AboXelike enclosure.,V Itwillalso .be yobserved vthat the yflanges- 22.V have their outergedgesforming guard wallsxfor the openings 23- andvv these `opfening's by"their ,location adjacentto the. langedends 210i the box-like enclosurecause the strands to be broughtyi-nto close relation .to the said 'ends21, and moreoven' the .flanges 22serve to retain the strands in `properspacedrelation Vat theinner side of each boxlile enclosure, .thedistance ybetween the. openings 23 beingtheffsame asf the distancelbetween lthe openings, 11. in` the loose leaves 10. e The Vflanges21,522 vand' 31 alll extend inward-ly the saineldistance--and theirvterminal edges contactwith-.thereinforce barfQ, but the'inwardly.extending angularportion V242i of `the llange orV hingememberQlpisofless width ,than the saidflanges '21, 22.and31 so as 4to..practically 'cooperatewith a; coin pleinentary flange.orlockingfinernber 3 2 at .the-inneredge of a. I netal reinforcingstrip or bar 33` secured .to the adjacent portion of -the Afly lea f,.each ily leaf 8 andi-9 having one of the..barsf33securedthereto and eachof kthe bars having' two angular flanges or'hinge.l

members 32 to cooperaterwith the'ang'es 24 of Atheltwo ,box-likeenclosures illustrated 1n the present instance.. If'tle nuinberof andgenerally'strengthen theloose leaf organization embodying the .featuresof the invention. Various means may be employed forfsecuring the bars"25V and `33 respectively to the covers 5 and 6 l.and flyleaves 8 and 9,and said barsvwill be of such thickness as toy render them strong enoughor practically 'serviceable in performing Vthe fune tions .for whichtheyare used butV at the same time thin enough to overcome bullri-V'ness orr such projection as would give the improved structure acumbersome applica-V tion. It will also be understood that theybox-like,enclosures 18 for the clamping le-v v*vers 19 will beminimized asto their surface projection relatively to the parts to whichthey yare attached or `will befas flat as possible, and likewise thestrandsA 13 will "be'of .assmall diameter as Ipossible consistentwiththe holdingy function which they perform relatively to the looseleaves 10.

In applying thestrands or wires 13, theyv are first threaded through-theopeningsv 23 ',of each elongated boX-likeenclosure 18 and then throughthe openingsB/l of the adjacent fly leaf barA and thenicarried across`and threaded through the openings'of the opposite flyileaf bar and theopenings Q3 of thel box-like enclosure .on the opposite cover, the `saidstrands being looped with relation toone set `of box-like enclosures andhaving their free ends projecting beyond vthe opposite set of box-likeenclosures.

.Each `pair of strands may' bev drawn taut or slackened unitedly, forinstance, by 4releasf ingthe clamping lever 19 located adjacent to'thelooped end of the two strands while the opposite free endsv ofthekstrands are held fast n byA the locking means',y adjacent thereto, andafterthe proper yadjustment of 'the strands has been accomplished, thelocking lever that has been released willbe reset to prevent anyslackening or :loose movement of the strands. In effecting a lockingengagement of each locking' lever with "the strands with rwhich itisiada'pted to'pcoact, die free end of the lever 28-is first set againstone strand while the lever is in the outer angular position shown bydotted lines in y Fig; 2, `and after this' preliminary placement,

tlieoppositeend or heel 29 of theV lever is 'forced inwardly"againstfthe`strand with 'which yitis tocooperate or impinge, and

these cooperating locking partswill be so vproportioned and of suchdimensions that the inner edge of each lockinglever bar `19 will standat a slight inclinationor will not be parallel with the two flanges Q2as clearly shown by Figs. 1` and 2 wherebyA a binding llock of greaterstress is produced by the two ends of the lbar or member v19 of eachlever with respect'to thestrands and owing to the outward curvature ofthe end flanges 21 of each-boX-like enclosure, a more effcc- V ttivebite is produced onthe portions of the strands engaging said`flanges and a more -positiveretention of the strands within the ends ofeach Vbox-like enclosure will result.

At any time desired any one or more of the loose lea'ves'l() may beinserted between other leaves which have been previously engaged bythestrands, or may be withdrawn from said previously grouped or engagedlooseleaves without disturbing the remaining organization of the severalleaves, sucli insertion 'and withdrawal being easily effected by reasonof theslots 12,all having 4the same dimensions `and being uniform as totheir angular positions relatively to the loose leave f y j vIt isproposed to utilize the improved binder for holding loose leavescontaining `or having written or printed thereon general information ofindiscriminate subjects, but the improved binder is adapted and has beendevised especially for use'in binding loose leaves embodying medical andother allied subjects. j f

What is claimed is A l 1. In a loose leaf binder, covers'having aconnecting back, independent vfieXible strands extending from'one coverto .theother to engage and retain'loose leaves between the covers, andindependent locking levers loosely carriedkby and'vfreely withdrawablefrom their applied positions on the covers,

the strands being freely slidable in relation to the said levers whenthe latter are loose and retained in their adjustments by frictionalcontact of the leverstherewith.

loo

2. In la loose leaf binder, covers having f a connecting back, Y'independent flexible strands extending from one cover to the otheracross the inner portion of and free `of contact with relation to thesaid back to engage and retain loosek leaves between the covers,*andlocking-'means carried by' each Vcover and including loosely mountedleversv which independently engage the strands, the strands being passedthrough the lockingI means and fiictionally retained in associationtherewith `by the said levers, the levers also being held in fixedapplied posit-ions by frictional engagement thereof with the strands." yi 3'. ln a loose leaf binder, covers 'having a connecting back, flexiblestrands arranged in; independent pairs to engage and retain looseleaves-.between thel rovers, and lockingineans; carried by the coversandi eaeh including a loose lever-rictionally retained therein whenapplied, the pairs of strands being independently slidable through thelooking ine'ansjand eaehpair-of strands being independently engaged andtrietionally held by oneottlielevers on eaohoi' the covers.l 4.111alloose leai" binder, covers having a connecting back, independent pairsof v`liexible strands extending ftromlone cover to the other Ytoengageandietain Y'loose leaves between the Covers, the two strands Lofeach pair being separated2 and independent locking means fort-he -twostrands of each pair .oi'strands and operating to hold f devieeftoiermVa pair of strandsto through inv spaced relation j 6. In a loose 4lealibindenooveringshaving a connecting back, l independent .looped flexiblestrands' iiorming independent pairs of strands extendingfrom one 'coverto the .other .to engage and retain loose lleaves between the covers,and independent llocking means consisting of .Y removably mountedlevers, each lever being slidably engaged by each pair of strands andadapted to hold the latter in spaced relation.

AF.Inaloose leaf binden'oovers having a connecting back, flexiblestrands extending frein one cover to the other, andremovable levershavingenelosing tramesoai ried Y by.V .the Covers Y for 'adjustableengagement by the strands and forholding` the latter in' parallel spacedrelation, the strands being frictionallyheld by the levers and thelatter maintained in their trames vby their rietional engagement withthe strands.

8. Ina loose leaf binder,V covers havingl a connecting back, flexiblestrands extending from one cover to theother-.to retain looseleavesbetween the covers, and removable looking levers mounted in enclosingframes carried bythe covers and having the strands slidablyp'assedtherethrough,-V` the -strandsbeing adjustable -toV regulate theirVt'autness byleosening oneloeking lever and exerting ra longitudinaltension simultaneouslyi on. the strands while they are held `fixed bythe locking -meansj-on the other cover. W L

9. In a loose leafl binder', 4covers having a eonneeting'baek, aloopedflexible strand forming two binding strands extending `from `onecover to the other across and iree of back to retain loosefV leavesbetween the covers, and removable 1 locking levers having enclosingvtrames therefor Ycarried by the covers andthrongh i'vliielr` thestrandsfad# ust-ably fextend in positive spaced relation, the strandsbeing silnultaneonsly .regulable as .to their tensionV by draiving:V onthe looped portion thereof.- l

l0.. In aj .loose leaif"` .binde-r, 'covers having a Connecting. bacio,`aV looped flexible strand forming two str nds, and ramesoarried byheeovers andfh, ving loose@` lockinglevers for adjustable vengagement bythe" .strands and .frietionally retainingsaidnstrands inV the trames.and .permitting Vthe strands to be simultaneously regnlatedasto theirteni'- sion andv also,holding;V strands inhposiftive spaeedfrelation YIn a loose leaf binder.,. Covers having a connecting back, independentfp airs of flexible strands, extendingnfrom one @over to the other to"engage. and l"retain loose lea-ves between the covers,itandfmeansyCarried by theeOVers for engagement by the. inde-v pendent pairs ofstrands ,and permitting in;- dependent'adjustment oi'.4 the pairsgof l2;vIn -a Vloose leaf Y binder;- vcovers-,havinvg,

a connecting bael clist inot pairsVv of strands extending from oneooverrto "they other, fand lmeans carried bythe .covers for', adjustableengagement bythe pairs of strands and per-y mitting` the latterto beindependently. adjusted` and also holding then iiipositivespaced'parallel relationv. j

` 13, In Valoose leaf binder, covers 'oon- .nested bylfa back, a. pairoit'flexible-strands extending iromone vcover tov the other7 andindependentjloolrs connected togthe covers and eaehoomprising a partremovably' and frictionallyY held in placeV andfivith-whioh vthe strandshave yadjustable engagement..A

by afloopedflexible back, andl distinct. p airs 'ot liexible-strands,look frames conneetedto the covers land provided with levers removablyand frietionally held therein and adaptedto beary on the strands toholdthe latter in positivefspaoed relatioato engage and retain loose leavesbetween the covers.

15. In al loose leaf binder, covers having a eonneoting b aeln'lexiblestrands extending `from oneeover to the other-to retain leaves Vbetweenthe covers, and loelnng means car- .i1ecl-bytlie covers and consistingVotenclosure means. having' openings adjaeentlto .theends for slidableand adjustable passage of the strands therethrough, and clamping leverVmeans loosely mounted inthe enclosure Vmeans and? provided `withVclamping ends to bear on thestrands.

1 6. In a loose leaf binder7 covers Ahavingr a Connecting bael, flexiblestrands vextending fromoneeover to the other to retain leaves betweenthe covers, and looking means held by theeovers. and Consistingotenolosure means through opposite extremities of which the `strandsslidably and adjustably pass, and lever means loosely mounted in theenclosure means and provided with clamping ends to impinge on thestrands.

17. In a loose leaf binder, covers having a connecting back, a pair offlexible strands extending from one cover to the other to retain looseleaves between the covers, lock` ing enclosures held by the covers andthrough which the strands extend in spaced relation and are adjustablyheld thereby, and levers loosely mounted in the enclosures,'one in each,each leverbeing provided with clamping ends to impinge on the strands.-

18. In a loose leaf binder, covers having a connecting back, distinctpairs of flexible strands extending from one cover to the other toretain leaves between the covers, locking enclosures arranged induplicate in connection with keach cover and through which the distinctpairs of strands adjustably extend, the said enclosures being positionedopposite to one another on the respective covers, and a clamping leverloosely mounted in each enclosure and provided with lclamping ends rtoimpinge on the strands.

19. In a loose leaf binder, covers having a connecting back and metallicstrips se-` cured to the inner sides of the covers adjacent to the pointof attachment of the back to the covers, enclosures secured to saidstrips and disposed opposite to each other on the respective covers, aclamping lever loosely mounted in each enclosure and provided withclamping ends, and pairs of strands inserted through andy held in spacedrelation in the enclosures, said strands beingy engaged by the clampingends of the levers to maintain them in fixed relation to retain looseleaves between the covers. 4

20. In a loose leaf binder, covers having a connecting back, lockingdevices carried by the covers adjacent to the point of attachment of.the back thereto, loose leaves held betweenV the covers, and strandsengaging the locking means and passing through the inner yportions ofthe loose leaves andalso engaged by the locking devices, the lockingdevices including means operable to primarily adjustably set the strandsso that the locking forceexerted on the latter is increased when thecovers are opened to lmeans to retain the leaves between the covers` andfly'leaves. y Y

22. In a loose leaf binder, covershaving a connecting back and flyleaves disposed in attached relation thereto, reversely bent flangemeans held by adjacent .portions of the covers and fly leaves, thesaidreversely bent flange means having loose engagement and turningmovement relatively to one another to form bracing hinge means, and

means extending from and between the covers for holding and retainingloose leaves between the covers.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

sAMUEL M. WAGAMAN. `Encan H. BYER.

Witnesses:

F RED. J. MACK, CHAs. E. KoUNTz.

